Pamphlet  Collection 
Duke  Divinity  School 


REPORT 


PRESENTED  TO  ' 


( 

m  PEESBTTEElf  OE  MECKLEHBtJEGH, 


AT 


MALLARD  CREEK  CHURCH, 


JC  J.  r  4  ,   18  8  8, 


BY 


THE  REV.  A,  W.  MILLER,  D.  D„ 


CHARLOTTE,  N.  C. : 
Journal-Observer  Steam  Job  Presses. 
18  8  3. 


REPORT 

— ON—- 

Fraternal  Relations. 

 , — w — ^ —  — 

^he  Committee  respectfully  recommend  to  the  Presbytery  of 
Mecklenburgh  disapproval  of  the  action  of  Atlanta  Assembly, 
touching  Fraternal  Eolations  with  the  Northern  Church,  on  the 
following  grounds  : 

1.  Because  of  its  unauthorized,  arbitrary  reversal  of  the  settled 
position  of  the  Church  ;  taking  into  its  own  hands,  and  summarily 
disposing  of  a  matter  so  grave  in  its  character,  and  so  far 'reaching 
in  its  consequences,  without  giving  the  Church,  thro'  the  Presby- 
teries, opportunity  to  carefully  consider  the  proposed  change,  and 
express  its  mind  in  relation  thereto. 

2.  Because  of  the  humiliating  attitude  in  which  it  placed  the 
Southern  Church*  The  Northern  Assembly  having  repeatedly  re- 
fused to  retract  its  slanderous  charges  against  the  Southern  Church, 
then,  for  a  Southern  Assembly  suddenly  to  abandon  the  only  posi- 
tion consistent  with  self-respect,  maintained  for  17  years,  and  to 
take  the  initiative,  and  supplicate  the  Northern  Assembly  for  a  re- 
traxit, and  even  go  so  far  as  to  draw  up  the  form  of  it  for  them, 
and  invite  them  to  sign  it,  and  offer  as  an  inducement  that  they, 
the  Southern  Assembly,  would  sign  it  too,  mutatis  mutandis ;  was  a 
crouching  posture  of  self- degradation ,  worthy  of  a  spaniel  but  dis- 
gusting and  disgraceful  in  a  man,  in  a  Christian,  and  much  more 
so,  in  a  Court  of  Jesus  Christ. 

3.  For  the  Southern  Assembly,  in  the  so-called  "concurrent 


resolution,"  to  confess,  hypothetically,  a  sin,  viz.,  libeling  the 
Northern  Church,  which  that  Asembly  knew  had  never  been  com- 
mitted, was  a  hypocritical  trick,  worthy  of  a  Jesuit.  The  framer 
©f  that  resoliution,,  himself,  affirmed,  that  our  charges  against  the 
Northern  Church  were  not  slanderous,  but  true,  and  he  quoted 
the  declaration  of  one  of  its  leaders,  (Dr.  Humphrey,)  that  the 
Southern  Assembly,  had  never  slandered  his  Assembly,  and 
that  the  former  had  nothing  to  regret  or  withdraw.  It  is  idle  for 
our  Assembly  to  seek  refuge  from  the  charge  of  dissimulation,  un- 
der the-  words  :  11  provided,  or  if  we  have  defamed  the  Northern 
Church,"  when  our  Assembly  well  knew  there  was  no  ground 
whatever  for  that  "provided^"  for  that  "if." 

4.  Acquiescence  by  the  Atlanta  Assembly  in  the  offensive  and 
insulting  action  of  the  Springfield  Assembly,  in  regard  to  the 
"concurrent  resolution,"  has  fixed  a  stigma  upon,  the  Southern 
Church. 

We  quote  from  the  Northern  Assembly's  Etecoi?dv  and  from  the 
Northern  Assembly's  Minutes. 

"Dr.  Herrick  Johnson  on  the  floor:;  "I  want  to  call  the- attention 
of  the  Assembly  to  the  possible  significance  of  this  action,  to  the 
inevitable  inference  that  will  be  drawn  from  it,  on  the  part  of  a 
great  many  of  the  loyal  men  in  this  country, — to  what  I  believe  is 
the  natural  inference  and  the  irresistible  inference,  if  the  record 
be  once  considered.  What  do,  we  declare  in  the  resolution  now 
before  us  that  we  regret  ?  "While  receding  from  no  principle,  we 
do  hereby  declare  our  regret  fo#,  and  withdrawal  of,  all  expres- 
sions of  our  Assembly,  which  may  be  regarded  as  a  reflection  upon 
and  offensive  to  the  General  Assembly,  &c."  Now,  what  words 
are  they  to  which  reference  is  made  by  the  Southern  Assembly, 
and  by  ourselves  ?  You  say  by  your  action,  "All  words  of  either- 
General  Assembly,  that  have  been  offensive  to  the  South  we  with- 
draw and  regret  ?r  Do  you  know  what  that  means,  when  you> 
cover  the  ground  of  the  Old  School  ar¥i  New  School  Assembly?' 
Let  me  read  some  of  the  words  :  "ResoAvedi,  that  inasmuch  as  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  in  her  past  history,.  ha£.  frequently  lifted  u,p, 


(5) 


her  voice  against  abuses,  and  has  shown  herself  a  champion  of 
civil  liberty,  as  against  the  despotism  and  anarchy  of  the  civilized 
world, we  should  be  recreant  to  our  high  trust,were  we  to  withhold 
our  earnest  protest  against  all  such  unlawful  and  treasonable  acts. 
Eesolved,  that  inasmuch  as  we  believe,  according  to  our  Form  of 
Government,  that  God,  the  Supreme  Lord  and  King  of  all  the 
world,  hath  ordained  civil  magistrates  to  be  under  Him,  over  the 
people,  for  His  own  glory  and  the  public  good,  and,  to  this  end, 
hath  armed  them  with  the  power  of  the  sword,  for  the  defence  and 
encouragement  of  them  that  are  good,  and  for  the  punishment  of 
evil  doers.    There  is,  in  the  judgment  of  this  Assembly,  no  blood 
or  treasure  too  precious  to  be  devoted  to  the  defence  and  perpetu- 
ty  of  the  Government  in  all  its  constitutional  authority."  "Those 
are  two  resolutions  passed  in  1861 ;  both  of  them  were  exceeding- 
ly offensive  to  our  Southarn  brethren.    We  here,  by  this  resolu- 
tion, declare  our  regret  for,  and  our  withdrawal  of  these  resolu- 
tions.   (Cries  of,  "Never!  Never!")  He  reads  again :  "K^solved, 
that  the  rebellion  against  such  a  Government  as  ours,  and  especial- 
ly by  those  who  have  enjoyed  their  full  share  of  its  protection, 
honors,  and  rich  blessings  of  every  name,  can  have  no  excuse  or 
palliation,  and  can  be  inspired  by  no  other  motives  than  those  of 
ambition  and  avarice,  and  can  find  no  parallel  except  in  the  past 
two  great  rebellions, — that  which  assailed  the  throne  of  Heaven 
directly,  and  that  which  filled  our  world  with  miserable  apostates  ,; 
"That  was  exceedingly  offensive  to  our  Southern  brethren.  And 
now  the  action  of  the  Old  School  Assembly :   "The  Church  of 
Christ  has  no  authority  from  Him  to  make  rebellion,  or  to  coun- 
sel treason,  or  to  favor  anarchy  in  any  case  whatever.    On  the 
contrary,  every  follower  ofChsist*has  the  personal  liberty  bestowed 
on  him  by  Christ  to  submit  for  the  sake  of  Christ,  according  to  his 
own  conscientious  sense  of  duty,  to  whatever  government,  how- 
ever bad,  under  which  his  lot  may  be  cast.    If  in  any  case,  trea- 
son, rebellion  and  anarchy  can  possibly  be  sinful,  they  are  so  in  the 
case  now  desolating  large  portions  of  this  nation,  and  laying  waste 
great  numbers  of  Christian  congregations,  and  fatally  obscuring 
every  good  word  and  work  in  those  regions." 


'•These  resolutions  are  on  record,  recognizing  the  duty  of  the 
people  to  sustain  the  Government,  and  endorsing  the  war  as 
against  rebellion  and  treason,  and  these  resolutions,  we  all  know, 
were  offensive  to  the  Southern  brethren.  Now  does  this  action 
mean,  that  we  are  ready  to  express  our  regret  for,  and  our  with- 
drawal of,  these  resolutions?  (Fervent  voices,  ''no  !")  If  "No," 
and  this  Assembly  will  say  "No,"  then  I  will  vote  for  the  majority 
report  without  amendment.  If  the  Assembly  says,  "Yes"  then  I 
must  oppose  until  I  die."  (Great  Applause.)  *'I  ask  a  suspension 
of  the  rule  that  we  may  adopt  the  following  resolution  :  "Resolved, 
that  in  the  action  now  to  be  taken,  we  disclaim  any  reference  to 
the  action  of  preceding  Assemblies  concerning  loyalty  arid  rebellion 
but  we  refer  only  to  the  action  concerning  schism,  heresy  and 
blasphemy," 

Eev.  Mr.  Tully,  of  Florida,  inquired,  if  this  resolution  was  to 
accompany  the  reply  to  the  South. 

Dr.  Johnson.  It  is  no  part  of  our  action  in  reference  to  the 
Church,  South. 

The  rules  were  suspended,  and  the  resolution  adopted. 

Eev.  Mr.  Lawrence,  of  Biddle  Institute  :  This  is  not  to  be  em- 
bodied in  the  returned  answer  ? 

Dr.  Johnson.    No,  sir. 

Mr.  Lawrence  thought  the  matter  had  been  ingeniously  handled 
by  the  Moderator. 

The  resolution  was  passed  unanimously,  with  hearty  applause, 
and  Dr.  Johnson  led  the  Assembly  in  the  Doxology. 

"The  Eeport  of  the  Committee  was  then  adopted,  and  is  as  fol- 
lows :  The  Moderator  is  instructed  to  telegraph  to  the  Moderator 
of  the  General  Assembly  in  session  at  Atlanta,  Ga.,  that  his  tele- 
gram is  received  with  warm  enthusiasm  by  this  Assembly,  and  in 
order  to  remove  all  difficulties  in  the  way  of  that  lull  and  formal 
fraternal  correspondence  between  the  two  Assemblies  which  we 
are  on  our  part  prepared  to  accept,  we  adopt  the  following,  to  wit : 
While  receding  from  no  principle,  we  do  hereby  declare  our  regret 
for  and  withdrawal  of  all  expressions  of  our  Assembly,  which  may 
^  be  regarded  as  reflecting  upon  and  offensive  to  the  General  Assem- 


(7) 


bly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States,  and  we  re- 
new the  expression  of  our  warm  fraternal  regard  for  all  who  com- 
pose its  communion,  and  our  readiness  to  exchange  delegates  forth- 
with." This  report  was  adopted  with  great  heartiness,  only  two 
or  three  dissenting. 

Dr.  Phraner  of  Sing  Sing  said,  "this  report  could  never  have 
been  adopted  by  such  a  vote  as  it  was  but  for  the  preceding  action" 
(the  Herrick  Johnson  resolution.)  It  is  almost  certain,  that  the 
''concurrent  resolution"  would  not  have  been  adopted,  had  not  the 
Johnson  resolution  been  previously  adopted.  But  the  Johnson 
resolution  was  not  intended  by  Springfield  Assembly  for  the  Atlanta 
Assembly.  Their  Moderator  told  his  body  :  "It  is  no  part  of  our 
action  in  reference  to  the  Church,  South.  And  so  is  not  to  be  em- 
bodied in  the  returned  answer".  Had  it  been  formally  embodied, 
of  course,  it  would  have  imperilled,  if  not  killed  outright,  frater- 
nity !  And  if  not  virtually  embodied,  they  would  have  imperilled, 
it  not  killed  themselves  !  for  they  would  be  subjected  to  a  consum- 
ing fire,  originated  by,  (to  quote  their  language,)  "the  inevitable? 
the  irresistible  inference  that  will  be  drawn  from  the  concurrent 
resolution,  on  the  part  a  of  great  many  of  the  loyal  men  in  this 
country." 

But  the  presiding  genius  was  equal  .to  the  emergency.  A  Janus 
faced  Paper,  the  first  part  looking  to  the  Horth,  the  second  to  the 
South  solved  the  difficulty.  But  the  first  part  "was  not  intended 
for  the  Church,  South."  It  must  not  come  officially  from  Spring- 
field to  Atlanta,  The  former  Assembly  must  not  send  it  to  the  lat- 
ter. The  second  part  only,  must  be  sent  officially,  that  the  bargain 
may  be  complete.  Still,  in  order  that  the  bargain  may  not  subse- 
quently be  renounced,  by  the  discovery,  sooner  or  later,  of  the 
trick  of  withholding  the  first  part,  it  was  necessary  it  should  be 
brought,  somehow,  to  the  notice  of  the  Southern  body.  And  so, 
after  the  second,  or  "concurrent"  part  had  come  first  from  Spring- 
field, and  Atlanta  had  sung  the  Doxology  over  the  concluded  bar- 
gain, there  came  a  private  telegram  from  Dr.  Johnson  to  Dr. 
Smoot,  as  follows  :  "As  matter  of  information,  and  in  justice  to 
all  parties  I  would  say,  that  our  Assembly's  action  on  your  basis 


(8) 


for  fratenal  relation  was  taken  mutatis  mutandis,  with  great  hearts 
ness,  only  two  or  three  dissenting.  Pending  our  action,  the  follow- 
ing resolution  was  passed  :  'Resolved,  that  in  the  action  now  to  be 
taken,  we  disclaim  any  reference  to  the  action  of  preceding  Assem- 
blies concerning  loyalty  and  rebellion,  but  we  refer  only  to  the  ac- 
tion concerning  schism,  heresy  and  blasphemy.'  We  were  led  in 
prayer  after  final  action,  and  sang  the  doxology  amidst  grateful 
and  profound  feeling.  "We  shall  welcome  word  from  your  Assem- 
bly concerning  delegates."  Dr.  Johnson,  as  Moderator,  told  his 
Assembly,  "this  resolution. is  no  part  of  our  action  in  reference  to 
the  Church,  South."  Dr.  Johnson,  privately,  tells  Dr.  Smoot,  that 
"in  justice  to  all  parties"  he  acquaints  him  with  the  resolution.  If 
"justice"  to  the  South  required  this,  it  required  it,  officially,  "as  a 
part  of  the  Northern  Assembly's  action  in  reference  to  the  Church, 
South."  The  consistency  between  these  two  Johnson  declara- 
tions has  not  been  made  to  appear  in  his  many  "Attempts  to  make 
it  plain." 

This  unofficial  telegram  staggered  the  Atlanta  Assembly,  at  first 
as  well  it  might,  and,  with  any  other  than  a  deluded  Body,  would 
have  instantly  terminated  all  correspondence.  But  the  old  say- 
ing was  verified  in  this  case  :  Quern  Deus  vult  perdere prius  de  men- 
tat:  The  Southern  Assembly  notifies  the  Northern,  that  if  this 
action  does  not  modity  the  concurrent  f  ©solution  they  are  prepared 
to  send  delegates  forthwith.  The  response  comes  from  Springfield; 
"The  action  referred  to  does  not  modify,  but  it  explains  the  concur- 
rent resolution,  and  the  explanation  is  on  the  face  of  the  action. 
There  is  nothing  behind  it  or  between  the  lines." 

Some  excellent  brethren  affirm  that  this  is  a  misstatement,  and 
others  that  it  is  a  direct  falsehood.  We  do  not  agree  with  them. 
"We  hold  that  the  Northern  Assembly's  representation  is  exactly 
true.  The  Johnson  resolution  does  not  modify  but  explains  the 
Concurrent  Resolution.  Bear  in  mind,  that  the  former  was  adopted 
first,  and  by  an  unanimous  vote,  and,  without  which,  the  latter 
would  not  have  been  adopted  at  all.  The  former,  in  their  estima- 
timation,  far  exceeds  in  importance  the  latter.  And  the  latter  must 


not  be  allowed  to  qualify  in  the  least  the  former  ;  but  the  former 
must  interpret  the  latter.  Now,  the*  former  retracts  offensive 
expressions,  touching  schism,  heresy,  blasphemy,  but  refuses  to 
retract  the  charges  of  treason  and  rebellion.  And,  therefore,  when 
they  in  the  Concurrent  Kesolution  state  that  they  "declare  their 
regret  for  and  withdrawal  of  all  expressions  regarded  as  reflecting 
upon  or  offensive  to,  the  Southern  Church,"  this  is,  by  the  Johnson 
resolution,  necessarily  restricted  to  expressions  touching  schism, 
heresy  and  blasphemy.  For  it  says  so  in  so  many  words.  Evidently 
again,  for  when  the  Moderator  called  upon  them  to  say  whether 
they  were  willing  to  declare  their  regret  for,  and  withdrawal  of, 
the  confessedly  offensive  resolutions  of  1861,  the  Assembly  cried 
out:  "Never!  Never!"  The  Johnson  resolution  then  does  not 
modify,  but  simply  explains  the  other  resolution,  and  the  explan- 
ation is,  as  they  say,  on  the  face  of  it  j  and  thore  is  nothing  behind 
it,  or  between  the  lines.  It  means  just  what  it  says.  Put  the  two 
in  one,  and  it  reads  thus  :  "Whilst  wre  refuse  to  retract  anything 
relating  to  treason  and  rebellion,  we  do  retract  any  expressions 
reflecting  on,  or  offensive  to,  the  Southern  Church,  relating  to 
schism,  heresy  and  blasphemy." 

The  duplicity  and  falsehood  consisted  in  their  designing  to 
deceive  and  mislead  the  Atlanta  Assembly.  They  believed  that 
that  Assembly  would  put  a  construction  upon  their  language, 
different  from  their  own,  and  they  intended  that  they  should.  And 
so  it  turned  out.  The  serpent  beguiled  them,  and  they  did  eat. 
They  hypocritically  affirm,  that  it  is  their  desire  "to  remove  all 
difficulties  in  the  way  of  a  full  and  formal  fraternal  correspond- 
ence," after  declaring  that  they  would  never  withdraw  the  charges 
of  treason  and  rebellion,  and  "that  they  would  be  recreant  to  their 
high  trust,  were  they  to  withdraw  their  protest  against  all  such 
unlawful  and  treasonable  acts  J"  This  is  what  they  call  a  "Con- 
current Kesolution  ;"  This  is  their  way  of  "removing  difficulties!" 
These  are  "Fraternal  Eelations,"  with  a  vengeance  ! 

Yerily,  "the  matter  was  ingeniously  handled  by  the  Moderator." 
Much  more  "ingeniously  "  than  ingenuously, — no  mean  specimen  of 
Yankee   diplomacy  and  duplicity.    "After  final  action  they  sang 


(id) 


the  Doxology  amidst  grateful  and  profound  feelings  !  i  !" 

The  response  of  Atlanta  was  as  follows  :  Resolved,  1st,  That 
this  Assembly  does  hereby  declare  its  entire  satisfaction  with  the 
full  and  explicit  terms  in  which  the  Gen.  Ass.  of  the  Pres.  Ch.  m 
U.  S.  A.,  has  expressed  its  "reciprocal  concurrence"  in  the  paper 
transmitted  to  said  Assembly  on  fraternal  correspondence. 

Resolved,  2d.  That  we  do  unfeignedly  rejoice  and  render  thanks- 
giving to  God  in  an  event  suited  to  take  away  the  reproach  of 
alienation  between  bodies  holding  the  same  standards  of  faith,  and 
tending  to  bring  peace  to  our  borders." 

The  mockery  and  insults  shown  to  the  Atlanta  Assembly  were 
acquiesced  in  ■  delegates  appointed  ;  and  a  Southern  Assembly  put 
thereby  a  stigma  upon  the  Southern  Church,  exposing  it  to  the 
contempt  of  the  world. 

5.  "Receding  from  no  principle;"  thus  begins  the  Concurrent  Res- 
olution adopted  by  both  Assemblies,  and  involves  the  whole  in  a 
contradiction.  "Receding  from  no  principle,"  should,  consistently, 
forbid  all  that  follows,  and  forbid  any  so-called  "Concurrent  Resolu- 
tion." Emphasis  should  be  laid  upon  these  words  ;  "Receding 
from  no  principle."  But  they  have  not  been  marked  as  they  de- 
serve to  be.  This  is  the  heart  of  the  whole  subject.  "Receding 
from  no  principle  "  is  the  porch  that  prevents  the  erection  of  the 
"Fraternal"  House — or,  if  erected.,  dissolves  it  into  air.  The  Pa- 
per gives  us  a  Porch,  with  an  Air-Castle  joining  it ! 

What,  then,  arc  the  principles  of  the  Northern  Church?  We 
have  already  given  the  action  of  1861,  as  quoted  and  re-affirmed 
hy  the  Springfield  Assembly,  declaring  that  the  Southern  "Rebel- 
lion" can  only  be  paralelled  by  the  rebellion  of  the  Devil  in  Heaven, 
and  of  Adam  in  Paradise.  The  O.  S.  Assembly  of  1862,  declared 
it  to  be  "the  clear  and  solemn  duty  of  the  National  Government  to 
preserve  at  whatever  cost,  the  National  Union  and  Constitution, 
to  maintain  the  laws  in  their  supremacy,  to  crush  force  by  force, 
&e.,  &c."  In  1863,  it  said  :  "J^o  causes  now  exist  to  vindicate 
the  disloyalty  of  American  citizens  towards  the  U.  S.  Govern- 
ment." In  1864,  it  said  :  "Under  the  influence  of  the  most  incom- 
prehensible infatuation  of  wickedness,  those  who  were  most  interested 


(II) 


in  the  perpetuation  of  slavery  have  taken  away  every  motive  fqr- 
further  toleration."  In  J865,  it  said:  "This  Assembly  regards  the 
Civil  Eebellion  for  the  perpetuation  of  negro-slavery  as  a  great 
crime,  both  against  our  National  Government,  and  against  God, 
and  the  secession  of  those  Presbyteries  and  Synods  from  the  Pres- 
byterian Church,  in  such  circumstances,  and  for  such  reasons,  as 
unwarranted,  schismatical  and  unconstitutional. — This  Assembly 
will  recognise  loyal  persons  as  constituting  the  Churches,  Presby- 
teries apd  Synods,  in  all  the  bounds  of  the  schism,  and  will  use 
eaimest  endeavors  to  restore  and  revive  all  such  Ghurches  and 
church  courts. — Where  any  three  ministers,  who  entertain  the 
views  above  mentioned,  belong  to  the  same  Pesbytery,  such  min* 
isters  are  hereby  authorized  and  directed  to  continue  their  organ- 
ization as  a  Presbytery."  In  reply  to  the  protest  of  Dr.  Sam'l  E. 
Wilson,  that  this  action  is  "calculated  to  promote  strife  and  dis- 
cord among  the  brethren  in  the  South  themselves,  and  to  widen 
and  perpetuate  the  breach  already  existing  to  so  sad  an  extent 
between  the  Northern  and  Southern  portions  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church/'  the  Assembly  said  :  "They  recognize  the  fact  that  the 
directions  given  by  theni  will  involve  much  personal  affliction,  and 
perhaps,  in  some  instances,  temporary  hardships.  But  for  this 
they  are  not  responsible.  Those  who  have  sown  the  wind  must 
expect  to  reap  the  whirlwind.  Duty  to  the  Great  Head  of  the 
Church  forbids  that  the  Assembly  should  compromise  with  heresy 
and  sin  ;  nor  can  they  walk  in  any  way  as  'more  excellent',  because 
apparently  more  peaceful,  which  involves  suoh  compromise-  They 
know  no  scriptural  way  by  which  those  who  have  gone  out  from 
us,  proclaiming  heresy,  can  be  restored  to  the  bosom  of  the  church, 
until  after  recantation,  or  those  who  have  fallen  into  the  grievous  sjn 
of  treason,  but  upon  confession  and  repentance."  ^Minutes,  1365.) 

The  Assembly  of  1866  ordered,  that  every  Minister  from  the 
South,  applying  for  admission  into  a  Northern  Presbytery^  who 
"was  concerned  at  any  time  in  aiding  or  countenancing  the  rebel- 
lion and  the  war  which  had  been  waged  against  the  XL  S.,  be  re- 
quired to  confess  and  forsake  his  sin  in  this  regard  before  he  sljall 
be  received.    And  if  it  be  found,  that  he  holds  either  of  these  idoc- 


(12) 


trines,  viz ;  that  the  system  of  negro  slavery  in  the  South  is  a 
Divine  institution,  and  that  it  is  'the  peculiar  mission  of  the  South- 
ern Church  to  conserve  the  institution  of  slavery  as  there  main* 
tained,'  he  be  not  received  without  renouncing  and  forsaking  these 
errors." 

The  Assembly  of  1866  also  said  ;  "It  appears  that  six  General 
Assemblies  in  succession,  including  the  present,  have  with  remark- 
able unanimity,  maintained  the  same  position  concerning  the 
rebellion,  and  concerning  those  engaged  in  it.  After  carefully 
reviewing  the  whole  course  of  these  years  of  strife  and  alienation, 
we  find  nothing  to  recall  or  modify  in  the  deliverances  which 
have  been  made." 

The  New  School  Assembly  of  1863  said  :  "Since  the  existing 
rebellion  finds  no  justification  in  the  facts  of  the  case,  or  the  Con- 
stitution of  the  U.  S.,  in  any  law,  human  or  divine,  the  Assembly 
can  regard  it  only  as  treason  against  the  Nation,  and  a  most  offen- 
sive sin  in  the  sight  of  God,  justly  exposing  its  authors  to  the 
retributive  vengeance  of  earth  and  heaven.  This  rebellion  in  its 
origin,  history  and  measures,  has  been  distinguished  by  those 
qualities  which  most  sadly  evince  the  depravity  of  our  nature, 
especially  in  seeking  to  establish  a  new  nationality  on  this  conti- 
nent, based  on  the  perpetual  enslavement  and  oppression  of  a 
weak  and  long-injured  race."  In  1865,  that  Assembly  said :  "Ke- 
garding  the  forcible  secession  of  the  Southern  Aristocracy  as  trea- 
son against  a  most  benificent  G-overnment,  and  as  treason  rendered 
peculiarly  malignant  and  wicked  by  the  fact  that  it  was  commit- 
ted with  the  avowed  purpose  of  sustaining  and  perpetuating  the 
system  of  Slavery, — a  system  in  direct  opposition  to  the  Gospel 
and  the  principles  of  religious  liberty — the  Assembly  condemned  it 
in  the  name  of  God,  and  pledged  to  the  Government  a  hearty  sup- 
port in  the  effort  to  crush  it.  Each  succeeding  Assembly  reit- 
erated this  action.  Our  churches  with  entire  unanimity  responded 
by  word  and  deed,  to  these  sentiments.  Our  record  as  a  church 
we  commit  to  the  calm  judgment  of  posterity,  in  the  full  assurance 
that  there  is  neither  a  line  nor  a  word  the  Christian  patriotism  of 
the  future  will  desire  to  erase ;  not  a  single  sentiment  befitting  our 


(13) 


relation  with  this  great  conflict  it  will  find  unexpressed." 

In  1865,  that  Assembly  directed  its  Presbyteries  not  to  receive 
Southern  Ministers,  unless  they  give  satisfactory  evidence  of  sin- 
cere repentance  of  the  sin  of  rebellion. 

In  1865,  it  used  these  words  :  "Let  it  not  be  said  that,  as  a 
Church,  we  have  nothing  to  do  with  civil  legislation.  The  day 
has  gone  by,  when  an  intelligent  christian  wi.U  affirm  the  doctrine 
that  what  is  wrong  in  religion  is  right  in  politics.  -  -  -  We 
desire  to  pledge  to  Andrew  Johnson,  as  our  constitutional  Chief 
Magistrate,  our  confidence  and  support  in  his  efforts  to  vindicate 
the  majesty  of  law  ;  maintain  the  National  Government  in  its  just 
supremacy  ;  destroy  the  spirit  and  counteract  the  workings  of  the 
evil  system  that  created  this  war  j  inspire  a  just  appreciation  of 
the  crime  of  treason,  and  a  true  loyalty  to  the  Government  in  the 
breasts  of  the  masses  of  the  white  population  of  the  South,  and 
extend  to  the  colored  citizens  of  that  section  the  practical  enjoy- 
ment of  those  personal  and  political  rights  announced  in  the  Dec- 
laration of  Independence,  but  denied  them  by  a  despotic  aristoc- 
racy." 

Here  then  are  the  principles  of  the  Northern  Church,  from  which 
they  declared  in  1882,  they  do  not  recede.  Tho'  from  the  exist- 
ence of  the  U.  S.  Government,  two  opposing  theories  respecting 
its  nature  and  powers,  have  existed,  dividing  the  country,  the  one 
held  by  the  North,  the  other  by  the  South,  yet  an  ecclesiastical 
Assembly  assumes  to  decide  between  them,  and  determine  what 
is  political  orthodoxy,  and  what  political  heterodoxy,  and  to  pre- 
scribe the  former,  and  forbid  the  latter  to  its  members,  enjoining 
the  one  as  a  duty,  condemning  the  other  as  a  sin,  an  offence  to  be 
visited  with  ecclesiastical  penalties.  The  Southern  Assembly,  on 
the  contrary,  carries  out  the  teachings  of  the  Confession  of  Faith. 
"Synods  and  councils  are  to  handle  or  conclude  nothing  but  that 
which  is  ecclesiastical,  and  are  not  to  intermeddle  wilh  civil  affairs 
which  concern  tjie  commonwealth,  unless  by  way  of  humble  peti- 
tion in  cases  extraordinary."  The  Northern  Assembly  eschews 
this  principle,  proclaims  itself  the  "champion  of  civil  liberty,"  to 
use  its  own  language,  and  declares  that  they  "would  be  recreant 


(14) 

to  their  high  trust  were  they  to  withhold  their  earnest  protest 
against  all  unlawful  and  treasonable  acts."  They  offer  themselves 
as  allies  to  the  government  in  crushing  secession  and  slavery* 
The  Assembly  proved  itself  to  be  a  Political  Propaganda ;  and  as 
their  ablest  Divine,  Dr.  Chas.  Hodge,  declared,  "they  violated  the 
Constitution  of  the  Church  and  usurped  the  prerogative  of  the  Divine 
Master:1 

They  were  indeed  guilty  of  this,  and  as  they  reaffirmed;  in  1882, 
the  action  of  past  Assemblies,  they  are  still  guilty  of  this. 

Here  there  is  an  "irrepressible  conflict"  between  two  principles* 
as  represented  by  two  Churches.  If  we  "do  not  recede  from  our 
principles"  we  are  bound  to  testify  to  the  spirituality  of  the 
Church,  and  to  testify  against  those  who  sacrifice  that  spirituality, 
and  to  do  this  in  plain,  unmistakable  terms,  of  condemnation,  and 
which  expressions,  therefore,  our  principles  forbid  us  to  retract* 
which  if  we  do,  it  would  be  false  to  say,  we  "recede  from  no  prin- 
ciple." But  this  is  what  we  did  do.  The  Atlanta  Assembly  sug- 
gested to  the  Springfield  Assembly  its  own  terms  of  reciprocity: 
"receding  from  no  principle."  And  this  was  the  very  reason  why 
the  Southern  Church  separated  from  the  Northern,  because  of  its 
unscriptural  principles,  from  which  it  would  not  recede;  and  its 
condemnation  of  which  the  Southern  Church  was,  and  is,  solemnly 
bound  plainly  to  express! 

The  Northern  Assembly  also  declare  that  they  "  recede  from  no 
principle."  Then,  as  their  principle's  led  them  to  condemn  us  for 
schism,  heresy,  and  blasphemy,  as  well  as  treason  and  rebellion, 
it  is  evident  that,  tried  by  their  standard,  we  are  still  guilty  of  the 
former,  as  well  as  the  latter ;  and  if  so,  what  great  objection  could 
there  be  to  their  continuing  to  say  so  ?  Our  guilt  is  implied  by 
their  principles,  whether  expressed  or  not.  Why  should  the  ex* 
pressions  be  withdrawn  if  the  guilt  continues  ?  If  they  withdraw 
the  expressions,  is  it  true  then,  that  they  "  recede  from  no  princi- 
ple," when  their  principles  require  them  to  condemn,  and  to 
express  their  condemnation,  of  schism,  heresy,  blasphemy,  as  well 
as  treason  and  rebellion  ?  What  are  principles  worth  without  ex- 
pression ?    It  is  certain  that  the  Southern  Church  has  not  repented 


(IS) 


of  the  "  sin  of  slavery,"  and  does  not  expect  to,  and  that  it  does 
not  believe  it  to  be  a  sin  at  all.  Yet  the  Northern  Assembly  of 
1882,  whilst  withdrawing  offensive  expressions — "  heresy,"  "  blas- 
phemy "—characterizing  thus  the  Southern  view  of  slavery — 
at  the  same  time  .  endorses  and  re  affirms  the  offensive 
action  of  1861,  which  condemned  and  stigmatized  both  secession 
and  slavery !  THEIR  PRINCIPLES  AEE  VASTLY  MOBE 
OFFENSIVE  THAN  THEIR  EXPRESSIONS.  Apart  from 
the  former,  we  forgive  the  latter,  when  retracted.  Their  insult- 
ing, offensive  principles,  if  not  abandoned}  it  is  our  duty  never  to 
forgive.  If  one  man  says  to  another,  in  substance  if  not  in  so 
many  words :  "  Whilst  not  receding  from  my  principles,  which 
still  constrain  me  to  regard  you  as  a  rascal  and  a  criminal,  yet  my 
former  denunciation  of  you  as  suchj  I  regret  and  withdraw  "  j 
would  the  other  be  constrained  to  express  "  his  entire  satisfaction 
with  the  full  and  explicit  "  retraxit,  and  upon  the  resumption  Of 
"  fraternal  relations  "  would  he  "  unfeignedly  rejoice  "  and  sing 
the  doxology  ? 

The  charges  against  us  of  treason  and  rebellion  have  never 
been  withdrawn,  but  are  still  preferred  ;  and  the  charges  of  schism, 
heresy,  and  blasphemy  are  still  implied,  for  our  slanderers  declare 
that  they  do  not  recede  from  their  principles — shewing  thus  how 
groundless  is  the  assertion  that  "  the  Springfield  Assembly  came 
up  to  the  Baltimore  platform,"  improperly  lowered  though  that 
was.  "  Are  we  willing,"  as  has  been  well  said,  "  to  taint  with  this 
infamy  the  memory  of  our  dead  martyrs,  to  wear  this  livery  of 
shame  ourselves,  and  then  transmit  it  as  an  heirloom  to  our  chil- 
dren?" 

Touching  the  principles  of  the  Northern  Church  in  regard  to 
slavery,  our  General  Assembly  of  1865  spake  the  words  of  truth 
and  wisdom  s  "  While  the  existence  of  slavery  may,  in  its  civil 
aspects,  be  regarded  as  a  settled  question,  an  issue  now  gone,  yet 
the  lawfulness  of  the  relation  as  a  question  of  social  morality  and 
scriptural  truth,  has  lost  nothing  of  its  importance*  When  we 
solemnly  declare  to  you,  brethren,  that  the  dogma  which  asserts 
the  inherent  sinfulness  of  this  relation  is  unscriptural  and  fanati- 


(16) 


cal ;  that  it  is  condemned  not  only  by  the  Word  of  God,  but  by 
the  voice  of  the  Church  in  all  ages;  that  it  is  one  of  the  most  per- 
nicious heresies  of  modern  times ;  that  its  countenance  by  any  Church 
is  a  just  cause  of  separation  from  it,  (1  Tim.  6  :  1-5,)  we  have 
surely  said  enough  to  warn  you  away  from  this  insidious  error,  as 
from  a  fatal  shore." 

The  doctrine  of  Abolitionists  is  here  truly  described  as  "  one  of 
the  most  pernicious  heresies  of  modern  times,  and  its  countenance 
by  any  Church  is  a  just  cause  of  separation  from  it,"  and  the  Scrip- 
ture quoted,  in  proof,  is  1  Tim.  6:  1-5,  which  reads  thus:  "Let  as 
many  servants  (douloi,  slaves,  and  so  admitted  by  Dr.  Hodge,)  as 
are  under  the  yoke,  count  their  own  masters  worthy  of  all  honor, 
that  the  name  of  God  and  his  doctrine  be  not  blasphemed."  Cal- 
vin's comment  is  this  :  "  Slaves  who  have  unbelieving  masters  are 
ready  enough  with  the  objection  that  it  is  unreasonable  that  they 
who  serve  the  devil  should  have  dominion  over  the  children  of 
God.  But  Paul  throws  back  the  argument  to  the  opposite  side, 
that  they  ought  to  obey  unbelieving  masters,  in  order  that  the 
name  of  God  and  the  Gospel  may  not  be  evil  spoken  of;  as  if  God, 
whom  we  worship,  incites  us  to  rebellion,  and  as  if  the  Gospel  ren- 
dered obstinate  and  disobedient  those  who  ought  to  be  subject  to 
others !  /" 

"  And  they  that  have  believing  masters,  let  them  not  despise 
them,  because  they  are  brethren  ;  but  rather  do  them  service,  be- 
cause they  are  faithful  and  beloved,  partakers  of  the  benefit. 
These  things  teach  and  exhort." 

"  These  things  teach  and  exhort."  "  He  means,"  says  Calvin, 
"  that  these  are  matters  on  the  teaching  of  which  he  ought  to 
dwell  largely,  and  wishes  that  doctrine  should  be  accompanied  by 
exhortations.  It  is  as  if  he  had  said  that  this  kind  of  instruction 
ought  to  be  daily  repeated,  and  that  men  need  not  only  to  be 
taught,  but  likewise  to  be  roused  and  urged  by  frequent  exhorta- 
tions." 

"  If  any  man  teach  otherwise,  and  consent  not  to  wholesome 
words,  even  to  the  words  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  to  the  doc- 
trine which  is  according  to  godliness,  he  is  proud,  knowing  nothings 


(17) 


but  doting  about  questions  and  strifes  of  words,  whereof  eometh 
envy,  strifes,  railings,  evil  surinisings,  perverse  disputipgs  of  men 
of  corrupt  minds  and  destitute  of  the  truth,  supposing  that  gain 
is  godliness ;  from  such  withdraw  thyself"  or  draw  x)ff,  or  away 
from,  have  nointercourse  with,  as  the  word  signifies  (Aphistaso  apo). 

Calvin  remarks:  "  Paul  forbids  the  servants  of  Christ  to  have 
any  intercourse  with  such  persons.  He  not  only  warns  Timothy 
not  to  resemble  them,  but  exhorts  him  to  avoid  them  ,as  danger- 
ous plagues ;  for  although  they  do  not  openly  resist  the  gospel, 
but,  on  the  contrary,  make  a  false  profession  of  adhering  to  it,  yet 
their  society  is  infectious.  Besides,  if  the  multitude  see  that  we 
are  on  friendly  terms  with  those  men,  the  danger  is,  lest  they  in- 
sinuate themselves  under  the  guise  of  our  friendship.  We  should 
therefore  labor  to  the  utmost  that  all  may  know,  that  so  far  are 
we  from  being  agreed  with  them,  that  they  have  no  communication 
with  us"  Here,  then,  is  solid  Bible  ground  on  which  to  stand — 
have  no  intercourse  with  those  whose  doctrine  as  to  slavery,  as  well 
as  other  points,  differs  from  that  of  the  Apostle  here,  and  is  con- 
demned by  him.  This  forbids  not  only  organic  union  with  Aboli- 
tionists, but  also  Fraternal  Relations  with  them.  With  Ministers 
and  members  ©f  the  Northern  Church,  who  are  in  her  but  not  of 
her,  who  are  not  representatives  of  that  communion  and  have  no 
sympathy  with  its  heresies,  but  condemn  them,  we  may,  of  course, 
fraternize  consistently.  But  with  a  Church  condemned  here  by 
the  Apo3tle  as  heretical,  we  may  not,  as  such,  affiliate.  The  com- 
mand is,  "  have  no  intercourse  with  them."  Had  our  Church  planted 
herself  firmly  on  this  Bible-ground,  and  maintained  her  position, 
she  would  have  saved  herself  a  world  of  trouble,  and  at  least  have 
commanded  the  respect  of  her  enemies.  But  what  has  she  gained 
by  a  compromising,  half-way,  Laodicean  policy?  Only  the  con- 
tempt and  insults  of  her  foes.  It  was  said  at  the  close  of  the  war, 
that  to  pursue  the  narrow  path  of  rigid  principle  "would  leave  her 
•out  in  the  cold,  forsaken  by  the  world."  But  light  and  heat  come 
from  the  sun,  not  from  the  world.  Had  she  followed  Christ,  her 
Sun,  content  with  His  smiles,  and  regardless  of  a  frowning  world, 
He  would  not  have  suffered  her  to  lack  light  and  heat.    She  would 


as) 

have  walked  in  His  light  and  been  warmed  by  His  love.  The 
Pillar  of  Cloud  by  Day  and  of  Fire  by  Night  would  have  afforded 
her  both  guidance  and  pioteetion  against  all  her  foes.  The  Holy 
Spirit  would  have  made  the  Crown  of  Thorns  upon  her  head,  a 
Crown  of  Glory,  a  Diadem  of  Beauty,  and  clothed  her  testimony 
with  such  power  as  all  her  adversaries  would  be  unable  to  gain- 
say and  resist.    Butshe  evaded  her  Cross  and  lost  her  Crown. 

6.  The  doctrinal  character  of  the  Northern  Church  forbids  any 
fraternal  relations  with  her.  By  reason  of  the  union  of  Old  and 
New  School  without  any  change  on  the  part  ot  the  latter,  the 
present  Northern  Church  is,  of  course,  the  representative  of  all 
the  heresies  of  the  New  School.  Dr.  Hodge  declared  that  "  by 
this  union,  the  Old  School  Church  was  dead,  and,  said  he,  if  truth 
be  lost,  all  is  lost."  The  New  School  is  the  predominant  power  in 
the  Northern  Church.  The  controversies  between  the  Old  and 
New  School  that  are  now,  in  their  Presbyterian  Quarterly  Beview> 
the  organ  of  both  parties,  agitating  the  Northern  Church,  threaten 
to  rend  it  at  no  distant  day.  Broadchurchism,  or  skepticism,  as- 
sailing the  inspiration  of  the  Scriptures,  is  rearing  its  impudent 
front,  defiantly,  in  that  communion,  and  alarming  and  vexing  the 
souls  of  the  righteous  within  her,  who  fear  the  Lord  and  shrink 
from  laying  an  unhallowed  hand  upon  His  Word.  The  heretical 
element  in  her,  now  predominant,  will(not  "  consent  to  wholesome 
words,  even  the  words  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  to  the  doc- 
trine which  is  according  to  godliness."  And  are  we  to  affiliate 
with  this  ?  "  From  such  withdraw  thyself,"  have  no  intercourse  with 
them — is  the  decisive  injunction  of  the  Head  of  the  ChurcK,  Which 
will  be  obeyed  by  all  who  fear  the  Lord. 

7.  When  a  separation  between  Churches  is  caused  by  opposing 
principles,  no  such  relations  can  be  allowed,  which  may  destroy  or 
weaken  the  testimony  which  truth  requires  should  be  maintained 
against  error.  The  Louisville  Assembly  of  1870' justly  observed  : 
"  It  may  seem  to  some  that  any  hesitancy  on  our  part  to  enter 
into  correspondence  with  any  Church,  is  out  of  accord  with  the 
spirit  of  the  times,  which  finds  expression  in  formal  protestations 
of  amity  and  unity  between,  ajl  evangelical;  Christians.    But  a 


(19) 


little  reflection  will  make  it  manifest  that  this  want  of  accord  is 
only  apparent,  not  real>  so  far  as  relates  to  any  unity  which  is 
founded  on  a  common  reverence  for  the  truth  of  Christ.  For,  in 
every  case  of  reparation  between  brethren  of  the  same  Church,  on 
account  of  errors  held,  or  supposed  to  be  held,  on  the  one  side; 
and  the  purpose  to  testify  against  the  same  on  the  other,  a  formal 
recognition  of  each  other  may  be  incompatible  with  the  very  end 
held  in  view  in  the  separation.  It  may  involve  an  utter  obscura- 
tion of  the  testimony  of  the  witnesses.  Thus  it  will  be  remembered 
there  was  no  official  correspondence  between  the  two  bodies  into 
which  our  Church  divided  in  1837-38  for  the  space  of  twenty-five 
years,  though  each  held  official  correspondence  with  other  bodies 
even  less  near  to  them  in  doctrine  and  order.  Nor,  indeed,  was 
such  correspondence  even  proposed  until  it  was  suggested  as  a 
preliminary  to  organic  re-uniOn.  The  Christian  instincts  of  both 
bodies  suggested  that  such  Correspondence  must  involve  the  incon- 
sistency, on  the  part  of  each,  of  standing  apart  from  the  other, 
while  under  not  only  the  same  articles  of  faith,  but  the  same  con- 
stitution— each  bearing  witness  against  the  other  while  affecting 
relations  of  Unity." 

If  the  essentially  different  character  of  the  opposing  principles 
of  the  Northern  and  Southern  Churches  constitutes  no  valid  bar- 
rier against  fraternal  relations,  then  neither  against  organic  union. 
If  two  Churches,  so  opposite,  should  fraternize,  they  should  also 
unite.  If  the  separating  principles  are  sacrificed  on  one  side,  what 
is  there  to  prevent  union  ?  If  they  should  not  unite,  they  should 
not  fraternize,  especially  where,  as  in  this  case,  the  fraternizing 
is  avowedly  designed  by  the  one  Church  to  prepare  the  way  for, 
and  terminate  in,  organic  union. 

The  following  plain  utterance  of  the  Presbyterian  Journal  ex- 
presses the  mind  of  the  entire  Northern  Church  :  "  We  do  not 
hesitate  to  say  that  it  is  only  as  a  step  towards  re-union  that  we 
care  for  this  Fraternal  Eelation  movement."  And  yet  such  an 
admission  will  have  no  effect  whatever  in  opening  the  eyes  of 
those  who  are  voluntarily  blind  to  the  dangers  which  beset  us.  It 


(20) 


is- very  evident  that  the  work  of  disintergation  has  begun  among 
us.  A  member  of  the  Atlanta  Assembly  was  not  ashamed  to  dis- 
close the  mercenary  motive  which  influenced  him  and  many 
others :  "  We  need,"  said  he,  "  the  material  aid  which  fraternity  " 
— (and  of  course,  union,) — "  would  bring  us.  Asking  for  favors 
on  the  one  hand,  and  refusing  fellowship  on  the  other,  is  about 
the  most  inconsistent  thing  we  can  do,  and  that  we  are  doing  every 
day."  Another  Southern  minister  writes  to  the  JV.  Y.  Observer  : 
uAfew  hundred  dollars, sent  in  a  quiet  way,  to  relieve  and  encourage 
our  poor  churches,  almost  disorganized  and  ruined  by  the  war, 
would  accomplish  the  happiest  results." 

A  few  hundred  dollars-,  sent  in  a  quiet  way ! ! 

The  Philadelphia  Presbyterian  parades  the  following  :  "  A  minis- 
ter in  the  far  South,  writing  to  a  friend  in  Philadelphia,  says : 
1  Dr.  Dabney  will  make  as  egregious  a  failure  as  he  did  in  the 
Park  case.  He  cannot  controul  the  Southern  Church.  It  is  folly 
for  him  to  try.  Dr.  Smith,  of  the  S.  W.  Presbyterian ,  cannot  con- 
troul us.    I  tell  you,  we  are  coming ;  we  are  in  dead  earnest.'  " 

Yes  !  they  are  in  "  dead  earnest."  Their  policy  is  settled.  Their 
course  is  Northward.  "  We  are  coming,"  is  the  cry.  And  through 
the  open  door  of  "  Fraternal  Relations  "  will  they,  and  a  multitude 
more,  enter  the  Northern  Church.  The  only  question  is,  How 
many,  or  how  few,  will  be  left  behind  ?  for  re-union  is  now  only  a 
question  of  time,  and  it  is  useless  to  shut  our  eyes  to  inevitable 
destiny  ;  for  where  a  road  is  continuously  travelled,  the  end  must 
be  reached  sooner  or  later.  The  Southern  Church,  as  a  whole,  it 
is  now  impossible  to  save.  There  is  not  virtue  enough  left  in  her 
to  save  her.  Decisive  action  only  can  save  a  remnant.  The  longer 
that  is  deferred,  the  smaller  this  will  be.  The  establishment  of 
Fraternal  Relations  means  Union,  and  Union  means  Death.  We 
may  say,  with  Dr.  Hodge,  "  by  this  union,  the  Old  School  South- 
ern Church  is  dead.  If  truth  be  lost,  all  is  lost."  Fraternal  Rela- 
tions being  established,  prompt  Secession  on  the  part  of  Presby- 
teries that  continue  loyal  to  Christ  alone  can  save  them.  And 
this  Confederacy  of  Presbyteries,  reduced  to  a  handful,  it  may  be 


(21) 


like  Gideon's  Band,  yet,  like  Gideon's  Band,  marshalled  under  a 
Divine  Leader,  shall  go  forth,  in  unbroken  phalanx,  to  the  help  of 
the  Lord,  to  the  help  of  the  Lord  against  the  mighty,  and  afford, 
another  proof,  that  "not  by  might,  nor  by  power,  but  by  my 
Spirit,  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts,"  do  the  soldiers  of  Christ  "  subdue 
kingdoms,  stop  the  mouths  of  lions,  quench  the  violence  of  fire, 
out  of  weakness  are  made  strong,  wax  valiant  in  fight,  and  turn 
to  flight  the  armies  of  the  aliens"  ! 

"Strong  in  the  strength  which  God  supplies. 

Thro'  His  eternal  Son, 

Strong  in  the  Lord  of  Hosts, 

And  in  His  mighty  power, 

Who  in  the  strength  of  Jesus  trusts 

Is  more  than  conqueror." 

The  Committee  recommend  the  adoption  of  the  following  Eeso- 
lution: 

Resolved,  That  the  Presbytery  of  Mecklenburg  disapproves  of 
the  action  of  Atlanta  Assembly,  1882,  concerning  Fraternal  Rela- 
tions  with  the  Northern  church. 

Kespectfully  submitted, 

A.  W.  MILLER,  Chairman  of  Committee. 

Mallard  Creek  Church, 

Mecklenburg  County,  K  C,  May  4,  1883. 
The  above  resolution  was  adopted  almost  unanimously,  only 
two  dissenting. 


APPENDIX, 


The  remaining  history  of  "Fraternal  Eelations"  shows,  the 
measure  of  our  humiliation  to  be  complete.  The  Northern  dele- 
gates appeared  before  the  Lexington  Assembly  and  entertained 
that  body  with  a  profusion  of  studied  gush ;  one  speaker  com- 
paring the  two  churches  to  two  belligerent  clouds,  dreadfully 
charged  with  electricity,  approaching  each  other,  intent  on  war 
and  ruin,  but  having  prudently  relieved  themselves  of  their  excess 
of  "brimstone"  by  "much  agitation,  thundering  and  lightning,  as 
with  the  voice  of  great  guns,  until  the  electrical  condition  of  both 
was  equalized,  and  then  the  clouds  uniting  and  blending  into  one 
in  the  blessed  wedlock  of  the  skies,  sailed  majestically  on,  pouring 
out  of  their  united  fulness  a  baptism  of  life  upon  the  thirsty  fields." 

Alas,  for  "the  thirsty  fields  "  !  They  will  be  thirstier  than  ever. 
No  "baptism  of  life,"  no  refreshing  rains  can  they  receive,  for 
there's  nothing  but  wind  in  those  clouds. 

Before  the  Saratoga  Assembly  appeared  two  delegates,  who  dis- 
honoured and  disgraced  the  Southern  Church.  The  one  a  dotard, 
who  professed  to  have  so  "fallen  in  love  with  the  Northern  Moder- 
ator, that  he  proposed  to  capture  him  and  make  him  the  Modera- 
tor of  the  Southern  Assembly  at  Yicksburg."  The  other,  a  traitor, 
who,  not  only  "overleapedjthe  past,"  but  overleaped  the  Southern  in- 
to the  Northern  Church,  at  the  very  time  he  professed  to  represent 
the  former,  having,  according  to  the  Saratoga  correspondent  of  the 
Boston  Congregationalist,  already  accepted  an  invitation  to  De» 
troit. 

The  pressure  for  an  explanation  of  the  Herrick  Johnson  Spring- 
field Eesolution  being  felt  in  the  Saratoga  Assembly,  Dr.  Crosby 
offered  the  following  resolution: 

"Whereas,  some  differences  of  opinion  have  been  manifested 
concerning  the  true  import  of  the  Eesolution  adopted  in  May, 
1882,  by  the  two  General  Assemblies,  sitting  respectively  in  At* 
lanta.  Ga.,  and  Springfield,  111. 

Resolved,  That  this  General  Assembly  understands  that  Eesolu- 
tion to  declare  the  steadfast  adherence  of  each  of  those  General 
Assemblies  to  all  the  principles  which  its  predecessors  had  affirmed 
upon  the  question  on  which  the  two  Assemblies  had  held  opposite 
convictions;  while  each  Assembly  avowed  its  regret  for  and  with- 
drawal of  all  aspersions,  which  either  may  have  been  understood 


to  oast  on  the  christian  character  of  ministers,  or-  constituents,  of 
the  other  Assembly;  and  in  this  sense  this  Assembly  cordially  af- 
firms that  Kesolution." 

But  even  this  was  too  much  for  the  irrepressible  Dr.  Herrick 
Johnson,  who  immediately  rose,  objected  to  the  resolution  and 
moved  its  reference  to  a  committee-^of  which  he  was  made  a 
member.    The  following  is  their  report; 

"The  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  resolution  regarding 
the  bearing  of  the  deliverance  of  last  year's  Assembly  in  behalf  of 
fraternal  relations  with  the  Southern  Church,  respectfully  report, 
That  fraternal  relations  having  been  happily  established  between 
the  two  Assemblies  on  the  basis  of  the  withdrawal  of  all  imputa- 
tions that  may  have  been  officially  made  from  either  side  against 
the  Christian  character  of  the  other,  no  further  action  of  this  As- 
sembly is  necessary." 

Here  is  a  contemptuous  refusal  to  give  the  desired  explanation  ! 
Fraternal  Eelations  were  "established"  at  Atlanta,  and  the  North- 
ern Assembly  has  nothing  more  to  say!  And  so,  Dr.  Niccolls  stated 
to  the  Lexington  Assembly  :  "There  has  been  some  unfavourable 
criticism  upon  the  terms  on  which  this  fraternal  correspondence 
has  been  established ;  and  more  especially  on  the  explanatory  res- 
olution in  the  action  of  the  Assembly  which  we  represent.  Our 
mission  to  you  is  not  one  of  apology,  explanation,  or  confession.  The  time 
for  that  is  past." 

The  time  for  tJiat  is  past!  Saratoga  declares,  that  fraternal  rela- 
tions were  established  on  the  preceding  year's  basis  of  withdrawal 
of  all  imputations.  What  the  "Springfield  withdrawal"  amounts 
to,  we  have  seen.  And  no  further  explanation  of  the  unsatisfac- 
tory "explanation"'  is  to-  be  given.  The  time  for  that  is  past  I  The 
matter  is  closed.  "No  further  action  of  this  Assembly  is  necessary," 
says  Saratoga.  The  Southern  Church  asks  for  an  explanation,  and 
a  slap  in  the  face  is  the  only  response.  And,  as  they  "recede  from  no 
principle,"  there  could  be  no  other  response.  Thus  writes  a  Pres- 
byterian from  Saratoga  to  the  Boston  Congregationalist :  "I  find 
that  there  is  a  large,  though  quiet,  element,  which  is  not  going  to  unmake 
history  by  going  bade  upon  the  glorious  national  history  of  the  past  21 
years." 

Dr.  Herrick  Johnson,  in  supporting  his  resolution,  said:  "I 
trust  that,  with  this,  all  rancour,  arid  bitterness,  and  alienation,, 
and  suspicion,  and  necessity  of  explanation,  will  go  down  to  the 
fathomless  sea  of  oblivion  forever,  and  that  henceforth  whatso- 
ever things  are  true,  whatsoever  things  are  just,  whatsoever 
things  are  honest,  whatsoever  things  are  lovely  and  of  good  re- 
port, if  there  be  any  virtue,  and  if  there  be  any  praise,  we  will 
think  on  these  things." 

We  challenge  an-  instance  that  equals  this  for  shameless,  decep- 


(24) 


tion,  astounding  hypocrisy,  and  audacious  assumption  of  incom- 
petency on  the  part  of  the  Southern  Church  to  see  through  it  all  ! 
If  his  resolutions  contained  "  things  that  are  true,"  "just,"  "  hon- 
est," "lovely  and  of  good  report,"  we  would  love  to  find  them, 
and,  with  complacency  and  delight,  would  "  think  on  these 
things."  But  instead  of  this,  we  find  things  that  are  false,  tricky, 
dishonest,  scandalous  ;  and  as  the  Master  bids  us  "  be  wise  as  ser- 
pents," we  intend  to  be  ever  on  our  guard,  and  ever  to  think  on 
these  things  ;  and  the  "  ingenious  handling  "  of  Dr.  Herrick  John- 
son. 

The  Saratoga  correspondent  of  the  Gongregationalist  adds  these 
words  of  comfort  for  the  sycophantick  South  : 

"Many  Northern  men  feel  that  organick  union  is  to  be  de- 
precated rather  than  sought.  The  Southern  Church  is  as  poor  as  it  is 
proud,  and  would  simply  enlarge  the  Home  Missson  field  of  the  Assembly, 
which  has  already  more  work  upon  its  hands  in  the  West  than  it  can  do." 

If  one  drop  makes  a  cup  overflow,  we  would  suppose  that  this 
drop  would  suffice  not  only  to  make  the  Southern  cup  of  "  Frater- 
nal relations"  overflow,  but  utterly  to  empty  it! 

Is  this  one  kick  enough  to  arouse  us,  or,  lost  to  all  Christian 
manhood,  will  the  Southern  spaniel  continue  to  crouch  at  th 
Northern  Master's  feet  ? 

Those  only  who  are  asleep,  may  be  aroused.  But  the  grea 
majority  are  n<  asleep.  Not  stupor,  but  apostasy,  characterizes 
their  state.  "Words  of  warning  have  not  a  feather's  weight  wit' 
them.  It  is  impossible  to  save  the  Southern  Church.  It- is  has 
tening  to,  and  soon  to  be  engulfed  in,  the  Northern  Maelstrom 
Only  a  remnant  can  be  saved.  And  only  prompt,  decisive  actio 
can  save  that.    The  critical  time  has  come. 

It  is  now,  or  never. 

A.  W.  M. 

Charlotte,  N.  C. 


1920 


A69ZL9GWK1 


